Critics of NAFTA argue that the trade agreement is responsible for devastating job losses in the United States, especially in the manufacturing industry.

A majority of American respondents (53%) told Gallup that the effect of NAFTA on the U.S. economy has been “mainly negative,” while 37% said the effect has been “mainly positive.” Working Americans are slightly more likely than unemployed Americans to say the effect of NAFTA on the U.S. economy has been “mainly negative,” 56% to 48%.

“In general, do you think that free trade agreements — like NAFTA, and the policies of the World Trade Organization — have been a good thing or a bad thing for the United States?” Upon request, respondents were read full name of NAFTA: “The North American Free Trade Agreement.”

Good
Thing

Bad
Thing

Unsure

%

%

%

4/23-27/08

35

48

17

“Thinking about the financial situation of you and your family — do you think these free trade agreements have definitely helped, probably helped, probably hurt, or definitely hurt the financial situation of you and your family?”